Is taking 2 research positions at a time crazy?

[leaveit2rani]

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I have the following schedule for the upcoming Fall:

Ecology
Intermediate Composition (English 2)
Greek Mythology
Studying for MCAT (taking in January)

I just got accepted to a research position in the Pharmacy and health science school to work on finding different signal pathways to treat type 2 diabetes.

I have an interview for another position in the biology department that deals with crossing drosophilia and molecular cloning.

Each research position would take 15-20 hours of lab work a week. Should I go for both?

 

[wizedw]

I wouldn't. Studying for the MCAT takes a lot of time. I did it with a full class schedule and one research lab and it was a lot for me. I wouldn't want more.

 

[MossyFiber]

That sounds insane. Especially if you haven't done research like this before. PIs tend to be pretty possessive of you and don't like to share with other labs - I would not do this if you want good letters.

 

[Kyuss]

It can be done, but I would say not to. Put all your effort on the MCAT and maybe pick up the other one when you've got more free time. Just do the one you're most interested in, and if you're just doing it for the resume booster, go with the clinical research.

 

[Praefectus]

Please don't do that to yourself. You'd basically work a full time job with research alone, so imagine what will happen when you throw classes and MCAT studying in the mix.

 

[BigBlueBear]

A friend of mine had 3 research positions while studying for the MCAT and got a 30. She was a little disappointed in it though, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Josh7]

Why would you take on two research positions? Just focus on one research position. Plus you can dedicate more time to the one position which is a better shot at a publication

 

[Bangersandmash]

How would you do working a full 40 hour workweek while taking classes and doing MCAT studying? People I know do it. I wouldn't say they are very happy doing it.

 

[Josh7]

How would you do working a full 40 hour workweek while taking classes and doing MCAT studying? People I know do it. I wouldn't say they are very happy doing it.

MCAT studying: 21 hours/week
Classes + class work: modest 20 hours/week
Research: 40 hours/week

Total: 81 hours/week

11.5 hrs/day average that you can't slack off while doing 😀 That doesn't sound fun but I guess it's doable if your time management is extraordinary

 

[k2on3hru]

Dude..do not do this to yourself. This is exactly what I did this semester. I had a REALLY easy schedule and was planning on taking the MCAT at the beginning of summer....I ended up taking the MCAT on July 27th. Both labs want you to commit time to their projects and it becomes impossible to study after spending an entire day running experiments.

 

[An MD Hopeful]

I worked in a lab and on a clinical research study at the same time one summer...and then decided to continue both during the school year...not an easy experience, and I ended up postponing my MCAT twice (waste of money). Got a 34...I think I could have definitely done much better if I had not worked so much. 🙁 But I did get publications on both sides, so I lucked out there at least. Definitely depends on whom you would be working for. Both my PI's are wonderful and flexible (as long as I get the job done). Not all PI's are that nice.

Edit: I'd just like to add that I was only able to do this since I did enjoy both projects. If I didn't enjoy what I was doing, it definitely would have been much harder mentally and physically.

 

[TrojanBacteria]

Don't be greedy. There doesn't seem to be much benefit in doing research with multiple labs (quality > quantity). Besides, you should be focusing a huge chunk of your time on MCAT studying. With that extra 15-20 hours/week, you could be doing an extracurricular, studying, relaxing, hanging out with friends/partying, etc.

 

[scene]

the real question is, how did people even get these positions? Are they paid? Did you just start cold e-mailing professors?

 

[lobo.solo]

MCAT studying: 21 hours/week
Classes + class work: modest 20 hours/week
Research: 40 hours/week

Total: 81 hours/week

11.5 hrs/day average that you can't slack off while doing 😀 That doesn't sound fun but I guess it's doable if your time management is extraordinary

That seems low... I was in lab for 10 hrs/week for 2 classes. I think total I was in-class for about 25 hrs.

Op, I don't think you're crazy but rather trying to build your resume (which is fine) showing little commitment to any of the labs..

 

[notbobtrustme]

Having 2 research positions is like having 0 research positions.

 

[nicolemsm]

Each research position would take 15-20 hours of lab work a week. Should I go for both?

No they wont... trust me. I'm paid to work 20/week in my lab and it's always 25++ especially when things go wrong, you have to account for errors.

I would do the diabetes research over drosophila research personally.

Also you need to remember PIs want you all to themselves. If one lab PI catches that you're moonlighting in another lab (even in an unrelated topic) this could really hurt you.

Now, if this was the case of TAing over research PIs understand TAing is essential. Choose wisely.